WWYD- cycling to school question

[DarlingWithoutYou]

DS is going to secondary this September and will need to cycle there as there's no buses in that direction. It's a 20 min cycle (according to google) but he's slow so likely longer.

My worries: I have been AGONISING over this for the past year. He has barely ever rode a bike so is not confident at all. He's only turning 11 in August so youngest in his year. I paid £60 for him to have a 2 hour session with a 'bike guru' recommended in our local town fb group, which he found very helpful but cried when he came back as said he'd been so scared riding on the road. I'm also really worried he will get lost! He's so dopey and young.

My 'What Would You Do' is this- I am off work until January. So, I could drive him until then. However his dad thinks he should just start cycling in Sep and get into the habit from day one, rather than having to learn in December when the days are darker and wetter.

WWYD? Drive him until Jan? Make him cycle?

Any help appreciated, or a reminder to pull my socks up is fine too, he is my PFB

@drspouse idea iris a good one OP.

If you are physically able to drive, is there maybe an accessible bike you can hire? There’s quadricycles and trikes if you can’t balance, handcycles if your legs aren’t great, electric ones or tandem power if arms and legs aren’t great.

Then you can ride the Route together over the holidays

my 11 yo is dopey as well. he's not really paying attention and could easily walk under a car if chatting or whatever.
He's confident on the bike, but had 2 falls and is nowhere near ready to cycle to school (just under 3 miles) in Sept so there's just not a snowball's chance he's cycling to school.
if bus service is still tricky and he can go on the bus I'll just have to drive him (which is an absolute pain) but I'm not risking anything .
he's just not there yet, not mature enough

Agree with the others about starting now, during the warmer months. Going a longer route if it's safer.
But you also need to consider the weather in winter. How is he going to get to school if it's icy? Or sleet or torrential downpour.